Case Against Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya For ‘Soliciting Votes On Ground Of Religion’

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has filed a case against Bengaluru South Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya for posting a video on social media seeking votes on grounds of religion.

The case over model code of conduct violation has been filed at the Jayanagar Police Station in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) took to X, writing, “Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in ‘X’ handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion.”

Earlier in the day, speaking to CNN-News18, Surya said, “The Constitution clearly says there can’t be religion-based reservation in the country. Doesn’t matter who introduced it. If a wrong is perpetuated for a long time it doesn’t make it right.”

Meanwhile, Vasanth Kumar, Advocate and BJP legal cell Convenor said that five complaints were lodged with the Election Commission today.

“Today 5 complaints were lodged with the Election Commission. One is canvassing and speaking to workers by CM Siddaramaiah inside a polling booth in Mysuru…another complaint is, in a polling booth in Kolar constituency, one ex-councillor Venkatesh is distributing cash to voters, another complaint is AICC Youth President Srinivas is protesting…today is polling day so he is violating Model Code of Conduct,” Vasanth Kumar said.

Surya cast his vote in Bengaluru and predicted that the Congress party may not win more than 30 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to the news agency ANI on Friday, Surya said, “I want to tell the BJP supporters and voters that we are 80%, but on the polling day we come out and vote 20%, whereas the Congress supporters are 20% and they come out and vote 80%. Each BJP voter must come out and vote because our vote matters. If you are not voting, Congress’ 20% is coming out and voting. No matter the heat, or the rain, it is your vote that will decide the future of the nation for the next five years. Please come out and vote.”

Of the 28 parliamentary seats in the state, 14 seats voted in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The Karnataka constituencies voting in the second phase include Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Hassan, Mandya, Kolar and Chikkballapur.

34.8 lakh first-time voters are registered to cast their votes. Additionally, there are 3.28 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. 1202 candidates (males: 1098; females: 102; third gender: 02) are in the fray.

Congress is contesting all 14 seats, whereas the saffron camp has fielded 11 candidates and its partner JD(S) has fielded three (Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar).

(With agency inputs)

Explore Live updates on the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 In regions, including Kerala , Karnataka , Noida , and West Bengal . Stay informed about key constituencies, voting trends, and candidate insights. Get Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.